While the body is designed to be efficient at self-detoxifying and eliminating free radicals, our less-than-ideal lifestyle as well as rising quantities of toxic compounds we breathe in, ingest or absorb daily makes the body’s natural detoxification systems become overloaded and reduces the body’s natural capabilities to maintain good health. That is why detoxifying your body is highly recommended in this day and age, while the steps to be taken towards a better change don't have to be extreme. Below are a few pointers that we have compiled for you to achieve better livelihood through detoxification.
1. Choose the Right Foods
One of the best things you can do to support your body’s detoxification process is to lighten its load and decrease the toxins you put in your body in the first place. Being a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, nutrition is very important and therefore, opt to consume quality food that are useful for your body. There are plenty of vegetables and fruits to choose from - garlic, lemon, broccoli sprouts, mung beans, and raw vegetables all helps with detoxification. Set aside fast food and other processed foods since they add harmful toxins to your diet. It is also highly beneficial to limit your alcohol consumption since it is quite taxing for your liver to neutralize.
2. Exercise Regularly
It is important to exercise regularly as it helps maintain a healthy body. Physical activity isn’t just for weight-loss, but it also improves the function of every organ in your body including the liver. Studies have found traces of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat, that is why estimated thirty minutes exercise each day strengthens the circulatory system, facilitating more efficient transport of oxygen and nutrients to cells as well as the movement of toxic materials out of the body through the sweat glands and bowels.
3. Drink Water to Purify and Replenish Your Body
Water is the most valuable tool for detoxifying your body. Recommendations of having to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day is reasonable since the body’s most basic functions require water. Your body needs water to produce saliva, help with perspiration, and remove waste. Sports drinks are often not recommended to replace your water intake, therefore if you are one of those people that find the taste of water boring, try adding lemon or cucumber to create infused water.
4. Increase Fiber in Your Diet
Toxins will be flushed out of the body through sweat, urine and your bowel movements. For the latter, it’s important to get plenty of fiber so that things move along nicely. The last thing you want to do is go through the effort of eliminating only to get constipated and have these toxins sit in your body or get reabsorbed. Therefore by increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, you’re giving your body a good amount of fiber.
5. Boost Your Antioxidant Intake
In order to protect cells from oxidative stress, you will want to include foods containing nutrients such as vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C, B-vitamins, zinc, and selenium in your diet. In addition to being antioxidant, each of these vitamins and minerals also offers its own auxiliary benefit which will aid your liver in flushing out contaminants. For example, high concentrations of B-vitamins help the liver neutralize toxic materials and process important nutrients while simultaneously shielding cells from free-radical damage.
6. Cut Back on Sugar
While detoxification can be a strenuous process for your liver, high-fructose foods like juice, soda, syrups, and other sweet liquids can be hard to process on the liver. Digesting these sweets takes extra work over other functions such as detoxification. Give your liver a break by avoiding any foods containing high-fructose corn syrup, added fructose and other liquid sugars. Replace it with something more nourishing like raw honey, as it also has vitamins and minerals as well as boasting healing properties.
7. Consume Herbs Periodically
Some herbs can help detoxify your body by keeping the liver healthy and optimizing its functions. Temulawak is an indigenous Indonesian plant that is well known to maintain liver health. A common ingredient in jamu concoctions, this herb has been used for centuries to keep the organ responsible for detoxification in top condition.
